Ever wish that you could peer into the personal lives of famed Beat writers such as Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady or William Burroughs? With the help of Erica Lies’ newest addition to the Ransom Center’s Beat Voices series, “Letters,” audiences might feel as though they’ve stepped back in time and into the shoes of some of America’s best writers. Lies’ short scripted piece “Letters” bases its material upon snippets of letters from various Beats to one another and their families. These letters are juxtaposed with the jazz and poetry of the time, illustrating the world in which these artists existed and the international community that emerged as a result. 1 and 3 p.m. Ransom Center, 21st and Guadalupe streets. Free. 471-8944, www.hrc.utexas.edu. — Shannon McGarvey (Originally featured in the Austin American-Statesman and on Austin360.com)
Peter Orlovsky and Allen Ginsberg in India, 1962 (courtesy of the Ransom Center)
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”
Britain’s favorite umbrella-clad Edwardian nanny descends to earth and returns to the big screen in the Disney classic “Mary Poppins,” based on the children’s literary series by P. L. Travers. Julie Andrews stars as the heavenly rescue-nanny Poppins who takes hold of the unruly Banks household and, more specifically, it’s unruly children. With the help of Bert, Dick Van Dyke’s cockney chimney sweep character, Poppins whips the house into shape with an endless carpetbag, a little magic and songs such as the familiar “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” Andrews’ role in “Mary Poppins” earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1965 and, perhaps, paved the way for her other award-winning roles in “The Sound of Music” and “Victor/Victoria.” —Shannon McGarvey (Originally featured in the Austin American-Statesman and in Austin360.com)
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
When county jail guards found that inmate Luis Camacho-Mendoza had escaped while working in the jail kitchen, he left behind a rose fashioned of out toilet paper because he "felt sorry for the captain for escaping."
Camacho-Mendezo was later recaptured at his home, hiding in a closet beneath a pile of clothes with a pillow case over his head.
First of all, if you had recently escaped from jail, why would you go back home? That's the first place people are going to look for you! What's more, if the cops show up, why would you ever think that hiding in a closet with a pillow case over your head could evade them??
At least he was nice enough to leave a little present, even if it was made out of toilet paper.
Read more about it here.
The 1973 film "The Exorcist," one of the most acclaimed and terrifying horror movies to ever appear on the big screen, plays to theater audiences again as part of the Paramount's "Horror Fest," running through July 3. Adapted from the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, "The Exorcist" is based on a purported real-life possession in Mount Rainier, Md., and follows the plight of a young girl, Regan (Linda Blair), who is possessed. Through the efforts of her mother (Ellen Burstyn), priests and doctors, Regan undergoes countless tests, examinations and, eventually, an exorcism. Winner of two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, "The Exorcist" contains graphic scenes suitable for mature audiences only. "Rosemary's Baby," another horror classic, is the first part of the double bill, starting at 7 p.m. The films also play Saturday and Sunday. — Shannon McGarvey (Originally featured in the Austin American-Statesman and on Austin360.com)
"The Exorcist"
Alejandro Escovedo, one of Austin's most celebrated singer-songwriters, plays for hometown audiences in a much-anticipated CD release performance tonight at the Continental Club. "Real Animal," Escovedo's ninth studio release, is the follow-up to 2006's "The Boxing Mirror" and the first album released under the management of Jon Landau and Barbara Carr, who are also Bruce Springsteen's longtime managers. The duo can be credited with Escovedo's early April performance with Springsteen at his Houston concert. If you weren't lucky enough to catch the sold-out live version of the collaboration, check out the scores of videos circulating online. Before Escovedo's midnight performance, he'll play an in-store at Waterloo Records at 5 p.m. And be sure to read today's XL cover story about the musician. — Shannon McGarvey (Originally featured in the Austin American-Statesman and on Austin360.com)
Alejandro Escovedo looking strangely like my friend Bryan de la Garza
Thousands of people in the Netherlands say they expect the world to end in 2012, and many say they are taking precautions to prepare for the apocalypse.
De Volkskrant said many of those interviewed are stocking up on emergency supplies, including life rafts and other equipment.
Some who spoke to the newspaper were optimistic about the end of civilization. "You know, maybe it's really not that bad that the Netherlands will be destroyed," Petra Faile said. "I don't like it here anymore."
Read more about it here.
So remember when I said that I'd miss the Mexican food at Aranda's when I left Austin? Well, that same Aranda's recently scored a 57 out of 100 on the City of Austin's Restaurant Inspection scoring system. Um, that's subpar!
See how your favorite Austin area restaurant rates.
A Russian spa recently unveiled an 800 pound monument in the shape of an enema outside it's facilities in Moscow. The enema, which is cast in bronze, is held by three angels.
Read more about it here.
Enema monument in Moscow
A West Bend, Wisc., Texas Roadhouse cook pleads guilty to inserting hairs into a dissatisfied customer's steak.
I bet it was hair from his head, don't you? More reason to always be polite and courteous to those in the service industry!
Read more about it here.
Cook Mike Perkins of a West Bend, Wisc., Texas Roadhouse
